SOCCER: LAFC shut out FC Dallas, yet to allow goal this season

David Martinez scored in the second half to give Los Angeles FC (LAFC) a 1-0 victory over visiting FC Dallas on Saturday night, keeping the home side unbeaten and unscored upon.

LAFC goalkeeper Hector Lloris made a diving save on Petar Musa in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, recording his third straight shutout for LAFC (3-0-0, 9 points). Lloris made five saves, earning his 27th clean sheet in 68 starts for the club.

LAFC has outscored opponents 6-0 this season. In the dying moments of the match, Musa redirected a cross from Herman Johansson, but Lloris scrambled to his right and used both hands to deflect the shot.

For FC Dallas (1-1-1, 4 points), goalkeeper Michael Collodi kept the team in the game with five saves, including two crucial stops in the second half against LAFC star Denis Bouanga. Despite his efforts, Dallas fell to 0-7-1 all-time against LAFC, having been outscored 14-3 in those meetings.

The lone goal came in the 55th minute when Martinez received the ball well outside the box and fired a left-footed shot that deflected off Collodi’s hand and into the net. The goal marked Martinez’s second of the season and his ninth in 49 career MLS matches.

LAFC had additional chances to extend the lead. In the 70th minute, Bouanga’s right-footed flick was stopped by Collodi, and he was denied again in the 79th minute on a close-range rocket.

Dallas actually outshot LAFC 15-10, but LAFC held a 6-5 advantage in shots on target.

In the first half, Bouanga had an early chance in the 23rd minute, only to see Collodi block his right-footed shot. Five minutes later, Dallas’ Bernard Kamungo fired a left-footed blast from outside the box, but Lloris tipped it over the net. Son Heung-Min had a late first-half opportunity for LAFC, but Collodi again made the save. Early in the second half, Musa headed over the net for Dallas.

With the win, LAFC continues its perfect start to the season, keeping both their unbeaten record and clean sheet streak intact.

—Field Level Media/Reuters